9 Genetic traits that influence us and were inherited from distant ancestors

“She has her mother’s smile, but her father’s personality.” Most of us have heard this type of reference, either because of characteristics that we inherit from our parents or that we pass on to our children. But to what extent are physical or psychological characteristics transmitted genetically and to what extent are they influenced by the environment in which we live?

The team of awesome.club discovered how “the memory of our ancestors” can influence our personality. Check it out and understand that some of your characteristics may have come from your great-grandparents or even more distant relatives.

Indeed, memories can be passed down from generation to generation, but not in the way we usually think. This was confirmed by research by scholars Brian G Diaz and Kerry J. Ressler of the Department of Psychiatry at Emory University in Atlanta, USA. During the study, rats were trained to avoid smells that resembled the scent of cherry blossoms. This influenced the DNA of the mice that went through the experiment.

The pups of these mice and the offspring of these pups became much more sensitive to the cherry tree’s scent and would try to avoid it, even if they had no specific reason to do so. The experiment showed that the event of the trauma can influence the DNA and, consequently, the behavior of subsequent generations.

Scientists believe that the research results are very important for the study of phobias, anxiety and post-traumatic stress.

Think – perhaps your fear of spiders is not as irrational as it seems.

Some character traits are acquired not only during our development, but thanks to DNA. For example, variants of the WSCD2 and PCDH15 genes are related to extroversion. Possibly you are communicative because you inherited this trait from your ancestors, and not because your mother enrolled you in many subjects in childhood. Furthermore, there is a correlation between extraversion and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Some consider that a sense of humor is an acquired characteristic, which only depends on the environment in which the human being grew up. But anyway, during research it was found that people with the 5-HTTLPR gene allele often show positive reactions, including laughing and smiling. Research participants with a short allele usually smile and laugh more sincerely than people with a long allele of the same gene.

The research results were confirmed, even considering different ages, genders, ethnicities and symptoms of depression.

Some people are more prone to stress and this trait can also be passed down from parent to child. Experts claim that if the mother feels stress during the period of pregnancy, her child may also be more prone to stress.

In addition, there is even a risk that parents, before deciding to have children and under the influence of stress, damage genes, as chronic stress damages chromosomes.

However, there’s no point in panicking: stress-related DNA changes can be reversible to some extent with the help of cognitive behavioral therapy and meditation.

Genetics influence between 40% to 60% the risk of developing dependence and addictions. In particular, the connection between this dependence and the D2 gene, a dopamine receptor subtype, has been studied in detail. People with a genetically determined deficiency in the dopamine D2 receptor are, in general, more prone to the consumption of addictive substances, since are less susceptible to the natural influence of dopamine.

For some people it’s enough to sleep less than 5 hours, to feel good and recover from tiredness. This is the variant of the p.Tyr362His gene, also known as the Thatcher gene, as former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher slept 4 hours a day and felt perfectly fine. People with this peculiarity not only sleep less, but also perform tasks of mental activity much better, even after 38 hours awake.

And not only Thatcher can boast of this ability. Other historical personalities also managed to sleep little and feel good. This is the case of inventor Thomas Edison, who created the light bulb. He slept less than 5 hours a night.

When it comes to money, our actions are explained by natural factors, according to experts. This was shown in research published in Journal of Political Economy. It was found that some people are genetically more likely to save, regardless of income level, sex and education.

In addition, the “genetically thrifty” find it easier to abstain from vices. For example, they are less prone to obesity (in some cases caused by food addiction) and smoking. This happens thanks to the permanence in their behavior and self-control, attributed to characteristics of their DNA.

Genetics can play a big role when it comes to musical talent and, in particular, pitch and rhythm recognition. A survey of identical twins compared the ability of people who dedicated themselves to music and singing. It turns out that some people, who practiced less, still showed better results than those who dedicated much more time to studies.

For example, one of the evaluated twins had practiced 20,228 hours longer than his brother, but could not surpass him in his musical skills. Scientists explain that some aspects of musical talent come from the genes.

As you can see, we received more from our ancestors than we thought. What interesting traits do you believe you inherited from your grandparents?